Game Change Engulfs Overseas Growth at DeNA

Never underestimate the speed of change in the mobile gaming business.

Just three months ago, social game site operator DeNA Co. reported its overseas revenues had grown for the sixth straight quarter to an eightfold increase from a year earlier and that its overseas operations logged a profit in June. Accustomed to growth trajectories holding steady, the company said that its overseas operations would turn profitable in the July-September quarter. Instead, revenues fell, losses widened, and its president warned of widening losses this quarter. Mobage West would not turn profitable until the January-March or April-June quarter, he said.

The company blamed a shortage in new hits, and said it is now working to expand its offering of different types of games, instead of just its mainstay card battle games.